A wedding ceremony held at The Middleton Oak during the month of March. Photo by Philip Casey.

Middleton Place is Charleston’s best-looking and most well-maintained plantation in the South. In fact, it has the oldest landscaped gardens in America. The property’s roots date back to the 17th century. Middleton Place is full of history and holds its place as an important icon of the South. For you, Middleton Place is an ideal wedding venue with its profoundly nurtured gardens and ponds. To me, the most gratifying thing about Middleton Place is the staggering scenery and wildlife you experience during your visit. A quiet walk through the property will take you pass calm black water ponds, alligators bathing in the warm Southern sun, enormous live oak trees draping over the intertwined pathways that connect the gardens, the vibrant colors of blooming Azaleas in the Spring, and the peaceful flow of the water in the Ashley River. Middleton Place is the perfect escape from busy traffic and the loud sounds of the city. The only thing you might hear are birds chirping their happy songs or a light breeze moving through the trees. Middleton Place is so large that you might even get lost exploring its extraordinary landscape. If you do, you will have a very enjoyable time during the process.

A tour map of Middleton Place, Charleston, SC.

Available Wedding Ceremony Locations at Middleton Place

There are seven wedding ceremony locations to choose from at Middleton Place: The Butterfly Lakes, The Secret Gardens, The Middleton Oak, The Octagonal Sunken Garden, The Crane Pool, The Stableyards, and The Bluff at the Inn at Middleton Place. Each of these locations offers a unique experience of the historic property and majestic views that showcase the heart of the South.

Butterfly Lakes – (#9 on the map above)

Secret Gardens – (#3 on the map above)

Middleton Oak – (#31 on the map above)

A view of the Octagonal Garden wedding ceremony location site. Typically, the wedding party stands at the top of the stairs, beneath the giant oak tree draping behind them. Photo by Philip Casey.

Octagonal Garden – (#7 on the map above)

This is my personal favorite ceremony site of choice. Located here is a giant oak tree draping behind where the wedding party stands, setting the stage for a breathtaking vista of Southern enchantment. The long pathway creates suspense as the bride reveals herself in the distance and slowly walks towards the altar.

Tips: Go with a normal or slightly longer ceremony duration at this location. Because the area is large, it is not suitable for extremely short–get in get out–ceremonies. I will need additional time to walk around from side to side and also to the far back to take the photo you see on the right. If your ceremony is only five or ten minutes, you will most likely not get all of the photos you see here or worse, something important gets missed.

Crane Pool – (Between #11 and #26 on the map above)

Stableyards – (Between #15 and #20 on the map above)

The Bluff at The Inn – (Not shown on the map above)

Available Wedding Reception Locations at Middleton Place

The Pavilion – (#37 on the map above)

Cypress Room & Courtyard – (Not shown on the map above)

The Lake House at The Inn – (Not shown on the map above)

The Courtyard at The Inn – (Not shown on the map above)

Gallery of Wedding Photos at Middleton Place

A beautiful sunset falls upon the Museum House at Middleton Place. Photo by Alex Holt.

The back of the Museum House at
Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.

White and pink Azaleas bloom in March at Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.

A bride and groom stands under an Oak tree at Middleton Place. Photo by Alex Holt.

Wedding photos taken in the Octagonal Sunken Garden at the Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.

A quiet walk through the gardens of Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.

A quiet walk through the gardens of Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

The old pavilion at Middleton Place. Photo by Alex Holt.

A tall Oak tree stands in the front lawn of Middleton Place. Photo by Alex Holt.

Long exposure of the front lawn of Middleton Place. Photo by Alex Holt.

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

Cocktail Hour can be held in the Secret Gardens at Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.

A wedding ceremony in the Sundial Garden at the beautiful Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.

A wedding at the beautiful Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.

A wedding at the beautiful Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.

Horse and carriage ride at Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.

Wedding photos taken in the Octagonal Sunken Garden at the Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.

A view of the Octagonal Sunken Garden at the Middleton Place in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.

Photo by Philip Casey.

Photo by Philip Casey.

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

Middleton Place Engagement: Kristin & Paul - Photo by Philip Casey

A view of the Middleton Inn in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Philip Casey.